Attacks between Iran and Israel complicate Trump's efforts to negotiate an agreement and quickly exit the war
Despite Trump's appeal, Israel and Iran exchange attacks for the first time in the truce
Mutual attacks between Iran and Israel have greatly complicated Donald Trump's attempts to negotiate an end to the war and withdraw from the Middle East, on the eve of the start of the World Cup, of which he is hosting.
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Over the weekend, the American president demonstrated new displays of irritation with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, as he saw US mediation and the ceasefire signed two months ago dissipate in exchange for missiles.
"He will have no choice. I'm in charge. I make all the decisions. He's not in charge", summarized Trump about Netanyahu, to journalist Edward Luce, from the "Financial Times", reinforcing the open tension between the two leaders.
The resumption of attacks between Iran and Israel made Hezbollah's role in resolving the conflict clear. Last week, in a telephone scolding, Trump warned Netanyahu not to attack Beirut, but the prime minister remained defiant, especially after rockets were fired on Sunday by Shiite militia against communities on Israel's northern border.
The Israeli army responded, attacking the suburbs in the south of Beirut again, in an action that Tehran considered a violation of the ceasefire between the US and Iran. The regime's response resulted in the firing of missiles in northern Israel this Sunday.
In an indication of the collapse of negotiations, Trump saw his promises that a peace agreement was close and would come "on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday" collapse. The American president went out of his way in interviews to try to contain the damage and reinforced that he would instruct the Israeli prime minister not to retaliate. "I'm the one who calls the shots," he determined. He also sent a message to Iran, which sounded like a desperate plea:
"You launched your missiles. That's enough. Go back to the negotiating table and make a deal."
With performance below expectations in the polls for this year's elections, Netanyahu thought it best to satisfy his political base and ignored Trump's warning. The Army retaliated this Monday, attacking military targets in western and central Iran.
The Israeli prime minister appears to resist the agreement that the American president hastily seeks, for fear that it will be harmful to Israel and threaten his political project of remaining at the head of the country's command. So far, he has shown himself willing to fray the ties he maintains with his greatest ally abroad.
Source: G1